As UCLA star freshman Shabazz Muhammad wears street clothes and waits for NCAA officials to decide how many games he must sit out as penance for violating amateurism rules, teammates say he is handling the case with patience and poise.

"He's handling it extremely well, the best he possibly could," fellow star freshman Kyle Anderson told reporters. "He's keeping his composure and working hard waiting for the day he can get back out there.

Shabazz Muhammad has handled the NCAA suspension with poise, according to his UCLA teammates. (AP Photo)

"He was a great teammate, a great cheerleader on the bench. That's something that comes with real character."

The NCAA had been investigating Muhammad for months. Their case centered around alleged improper benefits he received in his recruitment from boosters of his Las Vegas AAU program and the alleged improper acceptance of airline flights for some of his recruiting visits.

The NCAA said Muhammad is ineligible “to compete in tonight’s game” and the organization “is committed to resolving the remaining matters as quickly as possible.”

The news overshadowed the first game in new Pauley Pavilion, which opened after an 18-month, $132 million renovation. He watched the game from the bench dressed in a blue UCLA sweat suit.

Many UCLA fans donned "Free Shabazz" T-shirts -- including Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while playing the national anthem -- and the crowd chanted "Free Shabazz" repeatedly during the closing minutes of the game.

UCLA coach Ben Howland says Muhammad, who has recovered from a shoulder injury that cost him two weeks of practice time, will continue to practice with the Bruins while the NCAA sorts out his case.

"I feel terrible for Shabazz because he is a great kid," Howland said. "We were very optimistic he was going to be cleared today. We're hopeful it's going to be something that is worked out in the near future."

UCLA beat Indiana State 86-59 without Muhammad on Friday night and next play Tuesday against UC Irvin and then James Madison on Thursday. The Bruins’ first real test will come Nov. 19 against Georgetown in the Legends Classic in Brooklyn with a potential game the next night against No. 1 Indiana.